​AN Albanian national who tried to smuggle £190,000 worth of heroin through Dover docks has been caged.

Lulzim Gjergji, of Westleigh Close, Northampton, was arrested on January 11 at the inward tourist controls at the Eastern Docks when UK Border Agency officers searched the car he was driving and found approximately four kilos of the drug taped inside the rear bumper.

Gjergji pleaded guilty to smuggling and was jailed for six years yesterday at Canterbury Crown Court.

Ray Payne, Assistant Director for the UK Border Agency, Border Force South, said: “This is a strong warning to anyone who believes heroin smuggling is acceptable. Clearly, the view of the courts is that it is a very serious matter and UK Border Agency officers will remain vigilant at all our ports and airports to prevent drugs reaching our streets.

“Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to drug smuggling should call the Customs Hotline on 0800 59 5000.”

The UK Border Agency will pursue the deportation of Gjergji to Albania at the end of his sentence.